Backstreet Boys’ ‘Permanent Stain’ Makes List Of Worst Song Titles

I was recently reminded of a Benny Hill joke where the owner of a country cottage is taken to task over the naming of his estate. The joke is told by an acquaintance of the cottage owner and it goes something like this: “I’ve heard of Passing Clouds.  I’ve heard of Passing Rain, but Passing Wind?”  I apologize for being crass but the joke perfectly illustrates what makes a good or decent title and what makes a really bad one.

This joke came to mind while reading about the Backstreet Boys.  This summer, the seminal boy band is releasing an album and launching a tour.  The Backstreet Boys kick off their 25-city trek in Chicago on Aug. 2.  It ends Sept. 8 when the Backstreet Boys collect tickets in Concord, California.  Both endeavors commemorate the band’s 20th anniversary.

As for the band’s new studio album, it’s drops July 30 and is called In a World like This.  That title is fine.  On May 15, the Backstreet Boys appeared on Good Morning America to perform a new song, one from the aforementioned album.  The song they debuted is called “Permanent Stain.”  Needless to say, it reminded me of that Benny Hill joke.

“Permanent Stain” is one of the worst song titles I’ve ever come across (more on that later).  However, it got me thinking about other poorly titled tracks.  Before I knew it, my ruminations had produced enough bad song titles for a list.  To prevent myself from working on this project in perpetuity (as we all know there are hundreds of songs with awful titles) I stopped myself when I got to ten. 

A few caveats: I picked popular or somewhat popular songs (ones that people have actually heard before) and I made sure the list is completely PG.  Also, you’ve got to remember that this isn’t a list of bad songs but songs with bad titles.  Some of the tracks listed below are quite good.

“Big Log”

This song from Robert Plant’s 1983 album The Principle of Moments is very good, but the title is very bad.  “Log” is one of those words that skews towards being a bad word even though it’s “G” rated.  It doesn’t conjure up images of fallen timber but something far less palatable.  Then you put the word “big” in front of it and you have the more boorish among us giggling like school children.

“Da Doo Ron Ron”

“Big Log” put our minds in the water closet so let’s stay there with “Da Doo Ron Ron.”  This song, which sounds like a euphuism for what happens after one consumes bad Mexican food, was originally recorded by The Crystals in 1963.  It was co-written by Phil Spector.  In 1977, heartthrob Shaun Cassidy, who had tweens screaming long before there were any Backstreet Boys concerts, covered this unpardonably labeled track.  While the original peaked at number three, his version went all the way to number one.  Bootleg covers exist of this song by some fairly prominent rock bands including the Rolling Stones.

“Hurdy Gurdy Man”

It’s not fun to say.  It’s not fun to hear.  And to be honest it’s not all that fun to write.  In my opinion, “Hurdy Gurdy” is the verbal equivalent of nails on a chalkboard.  Donovan originally wrote “Hurdy Gurdy Man” for a band called Hurdy Gurdy but he ended recording the song for himself.  It dropped in 1968 and was a hit in both the U.S. and the UK.  By the way, a hurdy gurdy is an obnoxious sounding stringed instrument.

“Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini”

There are eight words in Brain Hyland’s 1960 hit song “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini.”  Five of them I refuse to say aloud.  You ask me what this number one hit record is called and I’ll just say “Yellow Polka Dot.”  Even reading the full title makes me cringe.  Interestingly, this song has been covered numerous times over the years but not by English-speaking artists.

“Nutbush City Limits”

“Nutbush” sounds dirty.  When you hear it you picture a man named “Skeeter” decked out in overalls and sucking on a blade of hay.  You may ask why in H-E-double hockey sticks did songwriter Tina Turner call her song “Nutbush City Limits?”  Well, it’s the actual name of her hometown.  Turner hails from Nutbush, Tennessee.  This was the last single produced by Ike and Tina Turner.  The track has been covered many times since its release in 1973, most notably by Bob Seger.

“Permanent Stain”

What were they thinking? This has to be one of the worst song titles of all time.  It sounds like something out of a Farrelly brother’s film.  Are the Backstreet Boys selling carpet cleaner?  Were they inspired by something interesting on their mattress while changing the linens?  I have no doubt this song will sound great when the Backstreet Boys perform live in Phoenix or when the Backstreet Boys rock Las Vegas, but you have to question the decision to name a song “Permanent Stain.”  It sounds more like an indie punk band than a pop song.  By the way, if you have Backstreet Boys tickets you can download “Permanent Stain” for free on May 20.

“Radio Ga Ga”

Leave it to Queen to name a song, a great song, “Radio Ga Ga.”  Did Roger Taylor (the songwriter) get his title from a baby?  You could be Stephen Hawking and you’ll still sound like an idiot saying “Hey, you want to listen to Radio Ga Ga?”  Despite having a miserable moniker, Queen absolutely rocked “Radio Ga Ga” in concert.  Going back and watching their performance of “Radio Ga Ga” at Live Aid will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

“Rolling in the Deep”

“Rolling” has been used successfully in hundreds of songs including Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone.”  The same can be said of “deep” for example “How Deep Is Your Love.”  Combining the two is an eyebrow-furrowing, chortle-inducing farce.  Adele, you’re “Rolling in the Deep?”  In the deep what?  Come to think of it, I don’t know if I want to know what you’re rolling in.  Released in 2010, this poorly titled Adele song went to number one in the U.S. and helped established the songstress as a household name.

“Spoonman”

I get it.  The song is about a man who plays the spoons.  Therefore “Spoonman” is a highly appropriate designation.  However, it’s about as dumb as the city of Seattle is drab and dreary.  If I write a song about a boy who can throw forks into a dartboard I’m not going to call it “Fork Boy.”  “Hey, you want to listen to my new song?  I call it ‘Ladle Lady.’”  “Spoonman” was one of Soundgarden’s biggest hits.  It was released in 1994 and is found on their album Superunknown.

“Tush”

Of all the words one can use for a person’s posterior this has to be in the bottom three.  It’s yet another word I won’t say out loud.  If you didn’t know this was a ZZ Top song you might assume it was a children’s carol designed to teach the young lads about anatomy.  The only saving grace of this rousing rocker is Dusty Hill doesn’t pronounce the word “tush” very well.  According to him, “tush” has two meanings.  The first is a person’s backside and the second is something luxurious or lavish.  So, in effect, the song is a double entendre.

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Daft Punk: ‘Random Access Memories’ An Album To Remember

Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories, their fourth studio album, will be available for streaming beginning May 21, 2013.  The opus is the band’s first with Columbia and they’ve been working on it since 2008.  The highly anticipated album was recorded with mostly live studio musicians and includes collaborations with several artists including Pharrell Williams, Panda Bear, DJ Falcon, Paul Williams, and the great Nile Rodgers.

The name “Random Access Memory” is meant to draw a “parallel between the brain and the hard drive.”  The band felt technology creates a capacity to store an almost endless amount of music but many modern day artists are not producing quality material.  With that being said, Daft Punk wanted to record as many quality elements as possible. 

Did they succeed?  Will Random Access Memory appease fans of the band’s previous album, the house music-styled Human After All or will it turn them off?  Can Random Access Memory win new adherents, those generally not moved by EDM, or will their use of real musicians and actual instruments fall on death ears?  Lots of questions, but in the end I think music fans of all kinds will love Random Access Memories.

Daft Punk Get Lucky
“Get Lucky” is the lead single from Random Access Memory.  It was released as a digital download on April 19, 2013.  The tune was written by Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams, and Nile Rodgers.  “Get Lucky” took a year and a half to make and it made its debut via a 15-second advertisement that aired during Saturday Night Live.  The song was well received by both critics and fans.  An infectious and toe-tapping track, “Get Lucky” broke Spotify’s record for highest number of plays by a single song in a single day.

Daft Punk New Album
In Random Access Memories, Daft Punk pays homage to music of the past, especially rock, disco, and pop of the 1970s and 1980s.  The band drew inspiration from a myriad of 1970s juggernauts including Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon.

Most of the rhythm tracks were recorded at famous studios in Los Angeles and New York City.  The band recorded most of the vocals in Paris.  Random Access Memories uses instrumentation and techniques that you don’t normally find on an EDM album: guitar solos, live drums, choirs, woodwind sections, horn sections, and the use of a string orchestra.  Daft Punk recorded an orchestra track for almost every song on the album but eliminated all but two during the mixing process.

If all this sounds expensive that’s only because it was.  To avoid pressure from a record label to use everything that was paid for, Daft Punk picked up the bills for all the studio time and the musicians.  This not only gave them flexibility and independence, but it also revealed just how dedicated they were to the project.

The album didn’t eschew modern day technology altogether but the band tried very hard to use old school equipment whenever possible—tracks were actually recorded on tape.  Daft Punk played a custom-built modular synthesizer and employed vintage vocoders throughout the album.  A drum machine appears in just two tracks.  All in all, Random Access Memories is the least “electronic” EDM album every released.

Daft Punk Tour
Nothing has been announced but surely Random Access Memories will lead to a Daft Punk Tour.   Conventional wisdom says the band performs all over Europe this summer and then in America in the fall.  I’d imagine Daft Punk tickets sell better in college towns when school is in session than during any other time of the year. 

Despite being an EDM band, Daft Punk concerts are known for their production values, visual concepts, and story components.  And of course whenever Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo are out in public they’re wearing their famous robot costumes.

Daft Punk Random Access Memories
I’ll be honest.  I’m not a huge fan of EDM.  I think it’s basically a guy (or a gal) depressing a mouse button.  EDM music all sounds the same and it uses one beat.  With that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed Random Access Memories and I think it will be crowned Album of the Year.

I’m drawn to the work because it’s actual music.  However, it’s still an EDM album.  It still has EDM sensibilities, EDM phrases, and EDM riffs.  Think of this way: if The Rolling Stones made Exile on Main St. with synthesizers and drum machines it would have certainly sounded different but it would still have the feel and atmosphere of a rock album.  Daft Punk made Random Access Memories with real musicians and real instruments.  While it sounds great, it does not sound like rock album.  It has the vibe of an EDM project.

Daft Punk 2013
Daft Punk should have a big 2013.  Random Access Memories is a game changer and one of the best albums of the century.  It’s a work that should appeal to both EDM and non-EDM fans.  Furthermore, it’s almost a guarantee that a Daft Punk tour is not too far away.  And who knows how many awards they’ll win and how many publications will name Random Access Memories the “best album of the year.”  Clearly, 2013 is the year of Daft Punk.

Timeline of Events Surrounding Random Access Memories
2008 – While working on music for Tron: Legacy, Daft Punk begins to tinker with ideas for a new album.  They originally recorded material on synthesizers but eventually decided that they wanted to work with real musicians.
September of 2010 – Paul Williams tells reporter that he collaborated with Daft Punk.
March of 2012 – Daft Punk jams with Nile Rodgers at his home.
May of 2012 – Giorgio Moroder announces that he has worked with Daft Punk.
Feb. 28, 2013 – An image of Daft Punk’s helmets next to the Columbia Records logo appears on the band’s official website and Facebook page signaling that they have signed with the company.
March 2, 2013 – Daft Punk’s logo and their helmets appear in a 15-second spot that airs during Saturday Night Live.
March 23, 2013 – Not only was the title of the album revealed, but it was the first day you could pre-order Random Access Memories on iTunes.
April 3, 2013 – Random Access Memories’ official Web site, The Collaborators, is launched.
April 12, 2013 – A video preview of “Get Lucky” is screened at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
April 16, 2013 – The track listing for Random Access Memories is released via Columbia’s Vine account.
April 19, 2013 – Daft Punk releases “Get Lucky” after the song was leaked a few days earlier.
April 28, 2013 – “Get Lucky” becomes Daft Punk’s first number one single in the UK.
May 13, 2013 – Daft Punk reveals their new album’s artwork on their official Vevo-channel.
May 17, 2013 – Daft Punk launches Random Access Memories at the 79th Annual Wee Waa Show in Australia.  Even though the band won’t be there, Daft Punk tickets sell out in 13 minutes.
May 20, 2013 – Daft Punk releases Random Access Memories in the UK.
May 21, 2013 – Daft Punk releases Random Access Memories in the United States.
May 22, 2013 – Daft Punk releases Random Access Memories in Japan and India.  The Japanese release contains a bonus track.

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American Idol Judges:  Who Will Judge American Idol In 2014?

“Yo! Yo! Yo… I have decided to leave after this season.”

Using a classic phrase from his own personal lexicon, Randy Jackson announced his departure from American Idol.  Jackson was the last original arbitrator left on the popular Fox singing competition.  He served as an American Idol judge for a dozen years.  He’s leaving to focus on his company, Dream Merchant 21.

Before becoming a household name on American Idol, Jackson worked with a plethora of big name artists including Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Carlos Santana, Jerry Garcia, and Journey.  He’s been the recipient of a Grammy Award and was executive producer of MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew.  He released his first album, Randy Jackson’s Music Club, Vol., 1 in 2008. 

Jackson’s departure, as well as the rumored withdrawal of his three cohorts, begs the question: who will be the American Idol judges in 2014?

American Idol 2013
The 2013 season of American Idol was not a good one.  While the contestants, mainly the women, sang great, the spotlight seemed to perpetually shine on the judges—Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, and Nicki Minaj.   Then again, when you’re a foursome getting paid $40 million collectively you’re going to attract a lot of attention (Carey $18 million, Minaj $12 million, Urban $6 million, and Jackson $4 million).

The panel had virtually no chemistry and superstar Carey brought little-to-nothing to the show.  When Carey and Minaj weren’t sniping at one another the latter was engaged in uncomfortable banter with Keith Urban.  The country music star didn’t know several popular songs performed by the contestants, Jackson’s feedback often contradicted itself, and Carey rambled on, either ignoring the performance or providing little in the way of constructive criticism.   

Minaj gave decent analyses when she wasn’t showing up late to live episodes.  She claimed she was stuck in Los Angeles traffic but when you’re a part of television’s number one rated show (or at least the former number one rated show) you make sure you’re there on time.  Obviously, she was not very committed to being an American Idol judge.

American Idol Judges
After Jackson announced his departure various internet sources said the other three judges were gone as well.  Meaning American Idol 2014 will have a completely new jury.  Then Fox entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly said the remaining American Idol judges “are welcome to return.” 

When asked to confirm the aforementioned reports of a mass judging exodus, Reilly only said “everything is on the table.”  He went on to say the judges will be welcomed back but the show will likely return to a trio of adjudicators.  

If we parse Reilly’s statement, what he’s really saying is we don’t want the judges back but we’re not going to say that because we don’t want to embarrass them.  Instead, we’ll just be very ambiguous about our intentions so Kree Harrison and Candice Glover can answer a bunch of question about the situation instead of answering question about themselves and their time on Idol.

American Idol Ratings
From 2003 through 2011, American Idol was television’s number one show.  Its eight seasons at number one is tops all-time.  For the 2011-2012 season, the show was usurped by Sunday Night Football.  This year, American Idol ratings are so bad it was beaten by a rerun of The Big Bang Theory.

American Idol Recap
So let’s recap.  This year’s American Idol has been marred by dysfunctional judges and low ratings.  Fox isn’t going to standby and do nothing with ratings down 22 percent.  The show is still doing well enough to avoid cancellation but it needs to do better—the franchise is just too important.  So, fans should expect big changes in 2014.  The only thing we can count on for the next American Idol is Ryan Seacrest.

American Idol Season 13
Clickitticket knows how to fix American Idol.  First and foremost, we have to start with the judges.  In a recent episode of The Office, character Andy Bernard tries out for an American Idol-like singing competition that he says is different than A.I. because all the judges are mean. Now, the new American Idol judges don’t need to be mean but they do need to be truthful.  People sometimes confuse the two, but a judge adds nothing if they are afraid of hurting the competitors’ feelings. 

American Idol Results: How To Get Them
Although Jimmy Iovine is about as popular as a head cold, he would be a perfect full-time judge.   Another candidate American Idol should seriously consider is Harry Connick Jr.  He was great when he was the guest mentor when the four remaining contestants sang songs from the “Great American Songbook.”  He correctly called out Jackson for his misleading evaluations.  

Ultimately, picking judges based on their celebrity and/or the demographic they appeal to is a mistake.  This leads to the show having judges that are recognizable to young people but incapable of lodging truthful and cogent critiques.  That’s why the three new American Idol judges should be an executive, a producer, and a performer.

>>Executive
One judge should know the business end of selling albums.  Yes, I know we all wish music could just be about the art but let’s face it, these A.I. contestants have to be able to sell records.  Furthermore, a record executive is likely to tell a young singer the truth about their performance no matter how bad things get.

>>Producer
The Jimmy Iovine judge (although he’s a record executive too).  A record producer is used to working with singers and knows a lot about music and the industry.   They have great ears and usually good communication skills.  This type of judge is the one who says “you were pitchy” and “I just wasn’t feeling it.” 

>>Performer
The Harry Connick Jr. judge.  You can’t hold a singing competition and not have a judge that’s an actual singer.  Also, selecting a performer is a great way to appeal to a target demo.  Only one problem, young singers are usually busy with their own careers or not very good in first place.  Again, we implore Idol producers to forget about appealing to youngsters and go with an accomplished singer who knows the craft.

Alternative Idol
We have another suggestion when it comes to hiring the new American Idol judges and that’s consider inking deals with alternative artists like Jeff Tweedy, Ben Gibbard, M. Ward, or Chan Marshall.  It’s doubtful one of the aforementioned artists would sign on the dotted line but being on American Idol would give them more exposure than they’ve ever had in their entire career.  Best of all, it would bring an edge to show.  An alternative artist might not pay off in the short term but they would in the long run.  You’d certainly be able to hire them for a lot less then you’re paying the current batch of judges.

American Idol Voting
Who would you vote for to judge American Idol?  Would you go with a no-name industry insider?  Or do you like the big-time singers who are too sensitive to give constructive criticism?  Do you have a particular name in mind to judge America Idol or are you like us and just want someone who isn’t afraid to tell the truth?

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Bill Maher Is Funny, When He’s Not Misunderstood or Taken Too Seriously

I’ll admit it.  I was wrong.

I was wrong when it came to stand-up comedian and television host, Bill Maher.  I viewed the funny man as a threat to common sense, decency, and America.  I now realize that the assumptions I held about him and his views were completely misplaced.

Bill Maher may spout one controversial political opinion after another but he’s certainly not a threat.  His diatribes and exegeses are not going to facilitate any widespread change… minus making people laugh.

I made the common mistake of exalting Maher’s power and influence because he talks about politics.  I failed to realize that just because you talk about politics doesn’t mean you’re an actual politician.

After all, Maher made a documentary about religion in 2008 but that doesn’t make him a priest nor does it make Bill Maher Catholic.   It just made him a documentarian. 

My Epiphany

I came to my epiphany when I saw that Bill Maher has a bunch of stand-up concerts scheduled for the rest of 2013.  Then it dawned on me, “Maher is a comedian!” 

Between now and the end of the year, Bill Maher tickets will be collected all over the United States.  That includes venues in Grand Rapids, Toledo, and Portland.

After perusing his comedy tour, I finally realized that he’s not an issue maker but an entertainer.  He’s a harlequin in $10,000 suits who has his own show on HBO (Real Time with Bill Maher).  Maher’s no leader.  He doesn’t make policy.  He doesn’t vote bills into law.  He just holds a mirror up to the people who do. 

Just remember, the only thing you have to do to be able to laugh at Maher is not take him seriously.

Maher's Job

Ultimately, Maher’s job is to entertain not to win elections.  He might make us think along the way, or inspire us to look at an issue from another perspective, but in the end he’s going for laughs.

In fact, Maher is pretty good at making people snicker, chortle, and guffaw.  Not only does he tickle our funny bones on Real Time but he also drew cackles during his days hosting Politically Incorrect.  The late-night talk show aired on Comedy Central and ABC from 1993 through 2002.

His ability to put an audience in stitches extends to the stage.  In 2005, Comedy Central named Maher the 38th greatest stand-up comedian of all time.

You can see where Comedy Central coming from on June 16 at a “Just For Laughs” Bill Maher show at the Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Illinois or June 22 when Bill Maher performs in Seattle, Washington at the historic Paramount Theatre.

Citizen Maher

Some might say Maher IS political.  After all, he’s on the board of PETA, Project Reason, and has given large sums of money to President Obama.  While PETA is probably the most hilarious organization of all-time (with Project Reason not far behind), those aforementioned endeavors belong in Maher’s private life. 

Fortunately, and for the most part, that’s where they stay only popping up in a joke or a witty quip.

Bottom line, when he takes himself too seriously, or when we take him too seriously, he stops being funny.

Here's Bill!

Okay, we now realize Bill Maher is a jester and not a Senator.  So does that mean we’re ready to sit front row center when Bill Maher performs in San Diego on Aug. 4 or when Bill Maher plays the big room in Las Vegas?

Not quite.  First, we have to prepare ourselves for Maher’s unique brand of humor.  Hitherto, we’ve viewed everything that comes out of his mouth as filthy pabulum.   To enjoy his live show, we must ready ourselves for stuff like this…

"He [President Jimmy Carter] is the one out of all of them who figured out how to sit in office for four years and never fire a shot. The negative example should be Dick Cheney, who even shoots his friends in the face."

… And this…

"In the not too distant future, we will elect a president whose penis we have all seen."

You've Been Warned

The above lines aren’t from his act but they are perfect examples of his caustic brand of humor.  Bill Maher jokes are not for the faint of heart or for those easily offended.

“Yes, Jesus is like Rihanna: no matter how bad you treat him, he still loves you.”

Oh yeah, Maher is not a fan of religion.  Well, that’s not true.  He loves religions because they give him so much fodder for his television shows and his stand-up act.  Even so, he never misses an opportunity to ridicule people of faith.

“All religious are not alike.  As many people have pointed out — ‘The Book of Mormon.’  Have you seen the show?…  OK, can you imagine if they did ‘The Book of Islam’?  Could they do that?  There’s only one religion that threatens violence and carries it out for things like that. Could they do “The Book of Islam” on Broadway?”

Roll A Big Fatty

Maher is also an advocate for the legalization of marijuana…

"This president wouldn’t be president if they had caught him [smoking pot], if that was on his record…He’d still be a community organizer. I just wonder when he’s going to get the memo that pot is the new gay marriage.”

Despite his pro-legalization stance, Maher will still poke fun at the pothead stereotype…

[About reports that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was a heavy pot user:] "[That]" could explain why he chose as a getaway vehicle a boat that was on land."

Knowing Maher’s affinity for marijuana certainly clarifies some of his opinions.  It definitely explains this one…

“The Constitution, the tiny states with no people in them, they have just as much representation. Did you know that Heidi Heitkamp, one of the people who voted for this, was elected by 166,000 people?  Dianne Feinstein, here in California, 7.5 million.  The Founding Fathers could not have foreseen AK-47s, they also could not have foreseen Wyoming and Montana."

How do you respond to something like that?  He might as well have said that he tastes colors and sees sounds.  If you walked into a room and someone uttered that previous Maher quote, you’d immediately look down to make sure you don’t knock over a bong.

Bill In The "Middle"

For those whose politics fall a little, or a lot, to the right they should prepare themselves to hear some jokes that will definitely test their resolve…

"Thatcher had Alzheimer's, just like Reagan; I'm not saying being a conservative turns ur brain to mush,but Clinton & Carter both still sharp"

Yet, to Maher’s credit, he’s not called "Everyone's Equal Opportunity Offender" for nothing.  He has and does roast both sides of the aisle.

“And here in California, I just want to say liberals – you could actually lose me. It’s outrageous what we’re paying — over 50 percent. I’m willing to pay my share, but yeah, it’s ridiculous.”

. . .

“Thinking the Second Amendment protects you from tyranny is like thinking the First Amendment protects you from Thor. It’s quaint. It’s ridiculous. It’s nonsensical. And they never get called [on] it."

Keep Holding That Mirror

Although the occurrences are few and far between, Maher’s ability to espouse both left- and right-wing opinions, and to make fun of democrats and republicans, actually gives him credence.  And a lot of people respect that.  Granted, it make his own politics inconsistent, contradictory, and irrational, but he earn points with those who think the left, the right, liberals, conservatives, democrats, and republicans are all bonkers.

“I’m not going to defend the current system as if it’s perfect and delight in paying for it simply because there’s a Democrat in the White House. I’m also not going to take the position of ‘All government programs are good.’ Or ‘All poor people are noble.’ Or ‘Everything the teachers union does should be defended.’ Or ‘The higher the tax rate on the rich, the better.’”

Like I wrote earlier, Maher should be applauded for his ability to lampoon the body politic.  As long as we champion him for that, and as long as he sticks to doing that, than Bill Maher is one of the funniest guys on the planet.

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